Selection and Schizophrenia

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Abstract
The merits of several current hypotheses regarding the maintenance of schizophrenia over time are considered on logical grounds, in the absence of empirical data. Viewing schizophrenia as a genotypically heterogeneous collection of conditions would allow a significant role to be assigned to recurrent mutation, while not excluding the possibility of favorable selective properties rooted in immunological advantages. Although the balance of selective advantages and disadvantages of the disorder in the past remains a matter for speculation, changes in reproductive fitness during recent periods are demonstrated by data from an ongoing study. Interim results show (a) the reproductive rate of schizophrenics is increasing and approaching that of the general population; (b) the reproductivity of the unaffected siblings is also increasing and surpassing that of the general population.